Latest News | Pokemon Sword and Shield

This section is consistently updated with the latest news about Pokemon Sword and Shield. Check back for details about the The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra DLC, and all other news.

September 2022

September 1, 2022: Ranked Battles Series 13 Now Live!

Start	September 1, 2022
End	October 31, 2022

Compete in Ranked Battles Series 13 with the power of special Pokemon that are normally restricted from battle.

You'll be able to full your team with Legendary and Mythical Pokemon for the ultimate test of strength!

Ranked Battle Series 13 Rules And Legal Pokemon

June 2022

June 17, 2022: Battle Gigantamax Urshifu!

Start	June 17, 2022
End	June 19, 2022

From June 17 to 19, Urshifu Rapid-Strike Style and Urshifu Single-Strike Style will appear in Max Raid Dens!

Rewards range from EXP Candy XL to Armorite Ore and Dynite Ore, so don't miss your chance to battle Urshifu!

Max Raid Events

May 2022

May 12, 2022: Pokemon HOME Version 2.0.0 Coming Soon

Version 2.0.0 for Pokemon HOME has been announced and will provide compatibility for Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Pokemon Legends: Arceus. This will finally allow transfer between the games.

Pokemon HOME News & Guide

April 2022

April 25: Sign Up for the Global Challenge 2022 Spring Online Competition!

Duration	May 5, 2022 to May 9, 2022
Registration Date	April 22, 2022 - May 5, 2022
Battle Format	Doubles
Rewards	50 Battle Points

You can now sign up for the Global Challenge 2022 Spring Online Competition! From May 5 to May 9, 2022, players can participate in a Doubles Online Competition that allows Ranked Battle Series 12's ruleset.

Players who participate in this Online Competition will receive 50 Battle Points after participating in at least three battles.

April 22: Download Marco Fiero's Dracovish!

Start	April 22nd, 2021 (Fri.)
End	April 25, 2022 (Mon.)
Code	EU1C2022G1FT

To celebrate the 2022 European International Championships this April 22 to April 24, 2022, players who watch streams of the championship will receive the 2020 Champion Marco Fiero's Dracovish!

Special Dracovish Distribution

April 21: Special Dracovish Distribution

To celebrate the 2022 European International Championships this April 22 to April 24, 2022, players who watch streams of the championship will receive a unique code for Dracovish!

Special Dracovish Distribution

March 18: Shiny Galarian Moltres Now Available!

Players who participated in 3 or more battles during the April International Challenge can now download their Shiny Galarian Moltres via Mystery Gift!

April International Challenge

April 15: April International Challenge!

Duration	April 15, 2022 to April 17, 2022
Registration Date	March 31 - April 14, 2022
Battle Format	Doubles
Rewards	Shiny Galarian Moltres

The April International Challenge has begun! From March 15 to 17, players can participate in a Doubles Online Competition that allows Ranked Battle Series 12's ruleset. Registration is ongoing until April 14, 2022 so don't miss it!

Players who participate in this Online Competition will receive a shiny Galarian Moltres as a prize after participating in at least three battles.

April International Challenge 2022

April 1: April Fools Max Raid Event

Start	April 1, 2022
End	TBD

Starting April 1, 2022, Bonsly and Sudowoodo will appear more often in Max Raid Dens! If you are lucky enough, you might even encounter a Shiny Sudowoodo! Check out the Wild Area now!

April 1, 2022 to TBD Max Raid Event
Bonsly	Sudowoodo

List of Max Raid Events

March 2022

March 18: Fossil Max Raid Event

Start	March 18, 2022
End	March 27, 2022

Ancient fossil Pokemon are appearing in the Galar region! From March 18, to March 27, 2022, you have a chance to encounter and catch fossil Pokemon in Max Raid dens. If you're lucky, you may even encounter a Shiny Tyrantrum!

March 18 to March 27, 2022 Max Raid Event
Tyrunt	Tirtouga
Archen	Amaura
Tyrantrum	Carracosta
Archeops	Aurorus

List of Max Raid Events

March 14: Shiny Galarian Zapdos Now Available!

Players who participated in 3 or more battles during the March International Challenge can now download their Shiny Galarian Zapdos via Mystery Gift!

March International Challenge

March 11: March International Challenge!

Duration	March 11, 2022 to March 13, 2022
Registration Date	February 24 - March 10, 2022
Battle Format	Doubles
Match Rules	Ranked Battle Series 12
Rewards	Shiny Galarian Zapdos

The March International Challenge has begun! From March 11 to 13, players can participate in a Doubles Online Competition that allows Ranked Battle Series 12's ruleset.

Players who participate in this Online Competition will receive a shiny Galarian Zapdos as a prize after participating in at least three battles.

March International Challenge

February 2022

February 24: Sign Up for the March International Challenge!

Duration	March 11, 2022 to March 13, 2022
Registration Date	February 24 - March 10, 2022
Battle Format	Doubles
Match Rules	Ranked Battle Series 12
Rewards	Shiny Galarian Zapdos

You can now sign up for the March International Challenge. From March 11 to 13, players can participate in a Doubles Online Competition that follows Ranked Battle Series 12's ruleset.

Players who participate in this Online Competition will receive a shiny Galarian Zapdos as a prize after participating in at least 3 battles.

March International Challenge

February 22: Pokemon Day Max Raid Event

Start	February 22, 2022
End	February 28, 2022

As part of Pokemon's countdown to Pokemon Day, the Galar Region is host to Gigantamax Pokemon featuring the Kanto Staters! Starting February 22, 2022, players have a chance to encounter and catch Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise with the Gigantamax Factor!

February 22 to February 28, 2022 Max Raid Event
Gigantamax Venusaur	Gigantamax Charizard	Gigantamax Blastoise

List of Max Raid Events

February 21: Event Details Leading Up to Pokemon Day!

The Pokemon Company is kicking off Pokemon Day with a countdown of event announcements for various games, all leading up to a special announcement on February 27, 2022!

New information for Pokemon Sword and Shield will be revealed on February 22, 2022 at 2 PM PT.

It's currently unknown what news will be revealed on February 22, but we'll make sure to keep you up-to-date with the latest information!

Pokemon Day 2022 and Event Details

February 21: Shiny Galarian Articuno Now Available!

Players who participated in 3 or more battles during the February International Challenge can now download their Shiny Galarian Articuno via Mystery Gift!

February International Challenge Rewards

February 18: February International Challenge!

Duration	February 18, 2022 to February 20, 2022
Registration Date	February 3 - 17, 2022
Battle Format	Doubles
Match Rules	Ranked Battle Series 12
Rewards	Shiny Galarian Articuno

The February International Challenge has begun! From February 18 to 20, players can participate in a Doubles Online Competition that follows Ranked Battle Series 12's ruleset.

Players who participate in this Online Competition will receive a shiny Galarian Articuno as a prize after participating in enough battles.
February International Challenge

February 11: Milcery Max Raid Event!

Start	February 11, 2022
End	February 20, 2022

The Galar Region is overloading in sweetness this February! Beginning today until February 20, 2022, you have a chance to encounter Milcery with Gigantamax Factor in Max Raid Battles!

All Milcery encountered in these raids drop Sweets, including the rare Start Sweet and Ribbon Sweet!

December 31st, 2021 to January 9th, 2022 Max Raid Event
Milcery

List of Max Raid Events

February 3: Sign Up for the February International Challenge

Duration	February 18, 2022 to February 20, 2022
Registration Date	February 3 - 17, 2022
Battle Format	Doubles
Match Rules	Ranked Battle Series 12
Rewards	Shiny Galarian Articuno

Registration for the February International Challenge has begun. From Feb 3 to 17, players can sign up for a Doubles Online Competition that follows Ranked Battle Series 12's ruleset.

Players who participate in this Online Competition will receive a shiny Galarian Articuno as a prize after participating in enough battles.
February International Challenge

February 1: Ranked Battle Series 12 Begins!

Duration	February 1, 2022 (Tue.) 9:00 PM PDT - August 31, 2022 (Wed..) 4:59 PM PDT

Ranked Battle Series 12 has begun! From February 1, 2022 to August 31, 2022, two Legendary Pokemon are useable in competitive play as well as Dynamax and Gigantamax.

Ranked Battle Series 12

Past News

Check out our list of past news for information on the events, distributions, and wild areas news you may have missed!

List of Past News

Pokemon Sword and Shield Related Guides

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Pokedex	Story Walkthrough
Wild Area	New Features
Gym Leader Battles	List of Moves
Version Exclusives	Message Board
Training Your Pokemon	List of Items
Beginner Tips & Guides	List of Maps